Kimball salutes our veterans

Generations of Kimballites gathered together in the Harry McNees Auditorium on Nov. 9 to celebrate the observance of Veterans Day put on by the 2016 Kimball High School Civics class.

According to Jeri Ferguson, it was the 15th year that the KHS Civics class had, under her direction, put on the program for local veterans and the community. Ferguson has always had a "passion for patriotism" as she calls it. When she first started the Veterans Day program, fifteen years ago, she did so because she felt that "kids at that time were taking for granted" not only veterans themselves but the meaning and understanding of what those veterans had done for all Americans. She believed that she needed to created a change in perspective of the young minds in Kimball so that they could move forward as good citizens with a strong understanding of not just the Constitution, politics and law but what our fellow Americans had to do to get us to this place of democracy.

Before the ceremony, veterans were greeted by Jessica Birkhoffer, Teisia Claypoole, Jannel Fiehtner and Kaitlyn Wurdeman of the senior civics class and urged to sign in before finding a seat. The community, as a whole, packed the auditorium in support of our veterans despite any political differences the previous day's elections may have deepened.

Jordan Greenwood and Audrey Day led the ceremonies.

Local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Joe Hernandez, Don Olson, Everett Durham and Larry Williams carried the American and State of Nebraska flags onto the stage, followed by the KHS choir students singing an outstanding version of the Star Spangled Banner.

Mayor Keith Prunty addressed the audience, speaking not only of the veterans but of the hardships often faced by the spouses and families when the veterans were active. He spoke of the selfless dedication that the soldiers willingly gave while serving, the new appreciation of Vietnam veterans and the mental and physical sacrifices all soldiers have given for our freedoms. Mayor Prunty encouraged everyone to support those who have served and went on to encourage all locals to hire veterans whenever possible.

Following the Mayor's speech, students from the Mary Lynch Elementary stepped onto the stage to perform. The fourth graders sang Yankee Doodle Dandy followed by Battle Hymn of the Republic, performed by the fifth graders. The sixth graders sang the theme songs for each of the military branches while veterans stood as their respective anthem was performed.

Red Skelton's Pledge of Allegiance was recited, with definitions, by the senior civics class.

The spectacular sounds of America the Beautiful, performed by Tom O'Brien as soloist, while Kristi Hiles-Smith accompanied on the piano.

Veteran Karl Elmshaeuser was the keynote speaker. Elmshaeuser spent six years in the United States Marine Corps as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician followed by several years working for defense contractors. He and his wife of 31 years have four sons, one of which is a Captain in the U.S. Air Force as a pilot with a degree in Astronautical and Aeronautical Engineering. Elmshaeuser recently ran for District 47 in the Nebraska Legislature but was defeated by incumbent Steve Erdman.

Elmshaeuser began by thanking the civics class for reciting the Red Skelton poem and shared his memories of the first time he had heard it on TV and how its meaning is just as important today as it was then. He then brought out a copy of the Declaration of Independence while referring to the movie National Treasure where the lead character discusses the intention of our founding fathers when they wrote it. He quoted from the movie, "if there is something wrong, those who have ability to take action, have the responsibility to take action."

Elmshaeuser went on to give the definition of a veteran and explain how those men and women who have served and are currently serving our country do so willingly, to put the interests of the nation before their own personal interests. He then shared the oath that all military must take upon entering into service, explaining that all those who take that oath, take it seriously, saying, "our word is our bond and we are committed to keeping our word."

"Veterans are people of service and are willing to put their lives on the line in the support of a document, a document that holds fast the idea of freedom. It does not matter what their job or rank was, or if they fought in battle or not, it is the very fact that they were willing to put forward your interests before their own, at the risk of their own very life," Elmshaeuser said.

After his speech, Elmshaeuser congratulated Ferguson and thanked her for her dedication to the Veterans Day program. He presented her with a flag that had flown above the capitol of the United States for her classroom.

As Jordan Greedwood said, although Veterans Day is for those still living, they wanted to recognize the ultimate sacrifice that some had given for our country so students Kennedy Lewis and Kaden Adrian played Taps for those veterans.

After the hair raising trumpet salute, all local veterans went up on stage to be recognized for their time and service to our country and to us.

Acting Kimball Police Chief Andy Bremer, who is the new Post Commander of the local VFW reported after the ceremony that the overall consensus from the veterans were that they were overwhelmed by the amount of work and effort Mrs. Ferguson and the civics class put into the ceremony.